Can a doctor be my Certificate Provider?

A doctor can be your Certificate Provider if they're willing — they qualify under the "professional skills" route. However, most UK GPs decline because the BMA's guidance is that it falls outside the NHS contract, and private fees of £100–£250 are common where they accept. Professional CP services are usually faster and cheaper.

The legal position — doctors do qualify

Every Lasting Power of Attorney needs a Certificate Provider. This is the person who signs Part 10 of the LPA form to confirm two things: that you understand what you're signing, and that nobody is pressuring you into it.

The law sets out two routes for becoming a Certificate Provider. The first is the "knowledge" route — someone who has known you personally for at least two years. The second is the "professional skills" route — someone whose professional expertise means they can assess your understanding and independence. Doctors fall squarely into that second category. A GP, a hospital consultant, a psychiatrist — all qualify, provided they have no conflict of interest (they can't be your attorney, for instance, or a family member).

So the legal answer to the question is yes. A doctor can be your Certificate Provider. The practical answer is rather more complicated.

Why most GPs say no

The British Medical Association has long taken the position that acting as a Certificate Provider for a patient's LPA falls outside the NHS contract. The NHS contract covers clinical care. Witnessing a legal document and certifying mental capacity is, in the BMA's view, a private service — and GPs are entitled to charge a private fee for it, or to decline altogether.

In practice, the majority of GP surgeries decline. Some cite workload pressure. Some point to the BMA guidance directly. Others simply don't have a clear process for it and would rather not take on the liability. You may find a sympathetic GP who is willing to help — particularly if you have a longstanding relationship with them — but you shouldn't count on it or build your LPA timeline around it.

What happens when you ask

If you do approach your surgery, be prepared for a few things. First, the receptionist probably won't know what a Certificate Provider is. You'll likely need to explain in writing and ask for it to be passed to the doctor. Second, even if the GP agrees in principle, you may wait weeks for an appointment — surgeries are busy, and a private LPA matter won't be prioritised ahead of clinical appointments. Third, the fee, if quoted, often comes as a surprise: £100 to £250 is the typical range, though some doctors charge more.

Some people go back and forth with their surgery for a month before getting a firm answer either way. If you're working to a deadline — a hospital admission, a planned trip abroad, a property transaction — that kind of uncertainty is a real problem.

The alternatives

You have several options if your GP declines, or if you simply want a faster and more predictable route.

A solicitor. Solicitors qualify under the professional-skills route and are used to acting as Certificate Providers. The catch is cost — if you're already paying a solicitor to help draft the LPA, they'll usually include this in the fee. If you're using a different service to prepare the document, you'd need to instruct them separately.

A person who has known you for two years or more. This is the "knowledge" route. They don't need any professional qualification — they just need to have known you well for at least two years and not be related to you, not be your attorney, not be named anywhere in the LPA, and not stand to gain from it. A long-standing friend, a trusted colleague, a neighbour you've known for years — any of these could work.

A professional Certificate Provider service. These services exist specifically to fill this gap. They're staffed by trained professionals who assess your understanding and independence — often by video call, usually on the same day you get in touch. There's no GP receptionist to navigate, no appointment queue, and no uncertainty. The fee is typically transparent and straightforward.

Speed and validity

A professional Certificate Provider's signature carries exactly the same legal weight as a doctor's. The Office of the Public Guardian doesn't rank Certificate Providers by profession — what matters is that the right criteria are met and the certificate is signed correctly. Choosing a same-day professional service over a GP isn't a compromise. In most cases, it's the more reliable option.